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Hatchet STEM Activities - Novel STEM Challenges Study Survival Science & Math
Hatchet STEM Activities - Novel STEM Challenges Study Survival Science & Math
Hatchet STEM Activities - Novel STEM Challenges Study Survival Science & Math
Hatchet STEM Activities - Novel STEM Challenges Study Survival Science & Math
Hatchet STEM Activities - Novel STEM Challenges Study Survival Science & Math
Hatchet STEM Activities - Novel STEM Challenges Study Survival Science & Math
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Hatchet STEM Activities - Novel STEM Challenges Study Survival Science & Math
Hatchet STEM Activities - Novel STEM Challenges Study Survival Science & Math
Hatchet STEM Activities - Novel STEM Challenges Study Survival Science & Math
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What others say

"I used some of these activities in class to go along with the novel as we read. My students enjoyed the connections that were made through the hands on activities and the book."
star
SARAH M.
"Used in 4th grade classroom of diverse student needs include ELL, SPED, and gen ed. Students enjoyed activity, age appropriate, will use again!"
star
Sarah G.

Description

This is not a run of the mill Hatchet novel study. Join Brian on his survival adventure with three STEM activities, 2 science experiments, a math exploration, and more in this Project Based Learning resource that combines STEM with literacy. I have created these STEM challenges as a way for students to engage with some of the aspects of the story in a hands-on and meaningful way.

Use this STEM novel study in your book club, while doing a Hatchet read aloud, or allow students to choose one or more projects after reading the book as a class.

Watch the preview video above for a better idea of what the activities are.

What You'll Get

  • 3 Main STEM Challenges (lean-to, bow, raft)
  • 2 Science Experiments (Hooke's law, light refraction)
  • Math Activity - how far off-course could Brian's plane have traveled? Differentiated with 3 levels of difficulty.
  • Sample images for the challenges and photos of experiment set up and method
  • Science/engineering vocabulary terms / word wall cards
  • Background information about Hooke's Law, springs, optics (reflection and refraction)
  • Recording pages to follow the engineering design process, both standard and graphic organizer format
  • Data recording sheets to document testing, many with differentiated options based on how difficult you choose to make the challenge
  • Bonus open ended task card STEM challenges!
  • Printable posters for each of the main challenges
  • NGSS and CCSS alignment
  • Hatchet engineering vocab word search
  • Rubric
  • "I survived" Hatched STEM printables (as well as "I didn't survive", optional)

FAQs

What materials will I need?

You will not need a lot of expensive materials to complete the main STEM activities. Your options are pretty open to use what you have available, such as paper, cardboard, recyclables, tape, craft sticks, string, pipe cleaners, or sticks and twigs found in nature.

For the science experiments, I have designed them to use as many recyclables as possible. For the spring experiment, you will need springs or rubber bands. Springs found in pens are fine. For the refraction experiment you will need a laser pointer, which you may already have or can hopefully borrow for the duration of the experiment.

How long will this unit take to complete?

The main math exercise takes about 15-30 minutes, each of the 2 science experiments take about 45 min each, and 3 STEM main challenges take 1-3 hours each, depending on if students are creating scale models / prototypes or full scale versions, and the design criteria/testing chosen (several options are provided). The activities are all independent of each other though so it's possible to pick and choose.

What skills are used?

Algebraic reasoning, measurement, data collection and analysis, planning, teamwork, perseverance, and creativity.

What Teachers are Saying

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This was really fun to have hands-on learning. It really helps students become more engaged in the story and putting themselves in the character's position on how to problem solve."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "My students are hands on learners and this resource was exactly what I needed to help them visualize what they are reading about in the novel. Differentiated resources were included. "

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I love this resource for hands on activities to go along with Hatchet. It's such a great way for students to really connect to the book and somewhat put themselves in Brian's shoes. Lots of great activities! "

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I had my students work on a couple of these activities after we read Hatchet. They loved pretending to be like Brian! It made them really have to think about what Brian had to go through! "

Novel STEM Challenges

The Wild Robot STEM Challenges

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane STEM Challenges

Holes STEM Challenges

Hatchet STEM Challenges

Engineering Design Challenges & STEM Bestsellers

Engineering Design Challenges BUNDLE

STEM Activities - 20 STEM Challenges BUNDLE

Report this resource to TPT
Reported resources will be reviewed by our team. Report this resource to let us know if this resource violates TPT's content guidelines.

Hatchet STEM Activities - Novel STEM Challenges Study Survival Science & Math

$10.00

Highlights

Digital downloads
Standards icon
Standards
Pages
79
Answer Key
Included

What others say

"I used some of these activities in class to go along with the novel as we read. My students enjoyed the connections that were made through the hands on activities and the book."
star
SARAH M.
"Used in 4th grade classroom of diverse student needs include ELL, SPED, and gen ed. Students enjoyed activity, age appropriate, will use again!"
star
Sarah G.

Save even more with bundles

STEM Activities and read aloud books go hand-in-hand in this BUNDLE, perfect for enrichment, gifted and talented programs, and all elementary classrooms. These STEM activities bring these beloved stories to life! Perfect for your STEM library, makerspace, or to use as a literacy-based STEM curriculu
Price $84.00Original Price $127.47Save $43.47
31

Description

This is not a run of the mill Hatchet novel study. Join Brian on his survival adventure with three STEM activities, 2 science experiments, a math exploration, and more in this Project Based Learning resource that combines STEM with literacy. I have created these STEM challenges as a way for students to engage with some of the aspects of the story in a hands-on and meaningful way.

Use this STEM novel study in your book club, while doing a Hatchet read aloud, or allow students to choose one or more projects after reading the book as a class.

Watch the preview video above for a better idea of what the activities are.

What You'll Get

  • 3 Main STEM Challenges (lean-to, bow, raft)
  • 2 Science Experiments (Hooke's law, light refraction)
  • Math Activity - how far off-course could Brian's plane have traveled? Differentiated with 3 levels of difficulty.
  • Sample images for the challenges and photos of experiment set up and method
  • Science/engineering vocabulary terms / word wall cards
  • Background information about Hooke's Law, springs, optics (reflection and refraction)
  • Recording pages to follow the engineering design process, both standard and graphic organizer format
  • Data recording sheets to document testing, many with differentiated options based on how difficult you choose to make the challenge
  • Bonus open ended task card STEM challenges!
  • Printable posters for each of the main challenges
  • NGSS and CCSS alignment
  • Hatchet engineering vocab word search
  • Rubric
  • "I survived" Hatched STEM printables (as well as "I didn't survive", optional)

FAQs

What materials will I need?

You will not need a lot of expensive materials to complete the main STEM activities. Your options are pretty open to use what you have available, such as paper, cardboard, recyclables, tape, craft sticks, string, pipe cleaners, or sticks and twigs found in nature.

For the science experiments, I have designed them to use as many recyclables as possible. For the spring experiment, you will need springs or rubber bands. Springs found in pens are fine. For the refraction experiment you will need a laser pointer, which you may already have or can hopefully borrow for the duration of the experiment.

How long will this unit take to complete?

The main math exercise takes about 15-30 minutes, each of the 2 science experiments take about 45 min each, and 3 STEM main challenges take 1-3 hours each, depending on if students are creating scale models / prototypes or full scale versions, and the design criteria/testing chosen (several options are provided). The activities are all independent of each other though so it's possible to pick and choose.

What skills are used?

Algebraic reasoning, measurement, data collection and analysis, planning, teamwork, perseverance, and creativity.

What Teachers are Saying

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This was really fun to have hands-on learning. It really helps students become more engaged in the story and putting themselves in the character's position on how to problem solve."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "My students are hands on learners and this resource was exactly what I needed to help them visualize what they are reading about in the novel. Differentiated resources were included. "

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I love this resource for hands on activities to go along with Hatchet. It's such a great way for students to really connect to the book and somewhat put themselves in Brian's shoes. Lots of great activities! "

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I had my students work on a couple of these activities after we read Hatchet. They loved pretending to be like Brian! It made them really have to think about what Brian had to go through! "

Novel STEM Challenges

The Wild Robot STEM Challenges

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane STEM Challenges

Holes STEM Challenges

Hatchet STEM Challenges

Engineering Design Challenges & STEM Bestsellers

Engineering Design Challenges BUNDLE

STEM Activities - 20 STEM Challenges BUNDLE

Report this resource to TPT
Reported resources will be reviewed by our team. Report this resource to let us know if this resource violates TPT's content guidelines.

Reviews

4.8
Rated 4.82 out of 5, based on 130 reviews
130
ratings
5
108
4
22
3
0
2
0
1
0
Mostly used with 5th and 6th grades
Reviews
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2
17
34
26
11
3
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
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8th
All verified TPT purchases
Great STEM projects
Rated 4 out of 5
June 27, 2026
Met expectations
Great value
Standards-aligned
This is a great resource for including STEM projects with my class reading Hatchet. Since I'm a reading teacher and not a science teacher, I won't comment about the science part of these lessons, but overall the lessons are clear and well laid out. Check the links. One of the bonus lesson links no longer works.
Carla C.
40 reviews • Ohio
Grades taught: 5th
Meredith Anderson - Momgineer STEM Activities
Jun 27, 2026
Thanks for letting me know about the link; I will look into it ASAP. Thank you for trying the activities even though you are a reading teacher and not science. That's awesome!
Hands on Learning
Rated 5 out of 5
March 25, 2026
This was so engaging for my students - they loved doing them.
Cara G.
722 reviews • Kansas
Grades taught: 5th, 6th
Hatchet Activities
Rated 5 out of 5
January 29, 2026
Met expectations
Great value
Standards-aligned
I used some of these activities in class to go along with the novel as we read. My students enjoyed the connections that were made through the hands on activities and the book.
SARAH H.
267 reviews • West Virginia
Grades taught: 6th
Well-crafted
Rated 5 out of 5
January 21, 2026
This is a great resource. Helped my prep so much!
Leigh Ann M.
641 reviews • Texas
Grades taught: 3rd, 4th
Gary Paulsen's masterpiece
Rated 5 out of 5
January 4, 2026
I use this in my grade 5 class and its a great, complete resource
208 reviews • Outside the United States
Grades taught: 9th, 10th, 11th
Engaging and fun
Rated 5 out of 5
November 19, 2025
Used in 4th grade classroom of diverse student needs include ELL, SPED, and gen ed. Students enjoyed activity, age appropriate, will use again!
Sarah G.
259 reviews • Georgia
Grades taught: 4th, 5th
Student populations: Autism, Emerging bilinguals, Learning difficulties, Mild to severe disabilities
Great resource for my students. Thanks so much!!!!
Rated 5 out of 5
August 26, 2025
Great resource for my students. Thanks so much!!!!
1,426 reviews • Kansas
Grades taught: PreK, K, 1st, 2nd
Rated 5 out of 5
July 16, 2025
This was a great resource! Thanks for sharing and creating it.
John K.
1,068 reviews
Grades taught: 5th

Questions & Answers

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Standards

to see state-specific standards (only available in the US).
NGSSMS-ETS1-2
Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
NGSS3-5-ETS1-3
Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
NGSSMS-ETS1-4
Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
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